Peter Coulson was the originator of the rides. He was a prolific rider (before my Audax time) in the 80s and 90s and when I joined AUK was the events secretary, dealing single-handedly with all of the organiser (calendar and permanent) and also doing a lot of work to pull all the results together. In addition to the Cambrian Series he set up the now defunct DIY mesh permanents as well as the Badby permanents and peneperiphery series. He retired from this quite colossal workload in 2006.

I'd just ridden the magnificent Cambrian 4D and, hearing that he was giving up his permanent rides, felt that they were too good a series to lose (in the words of Victor Kiam - I was so impressed I bought the company). At Peter's suggestion (and with the incentive of the AUK Reunion being held at Llandrindod Wells) I added the 5 100km rides in 2007. One rider was looking for a Cambrian equivalent of the Maniac Grimpeur but after a lot of searching for routes, I could only come up with Cambrian 8A and its two component halves, the 4F and the 4G, which has so far had one very impressive completion. Around about the same time I had an enquiry from an American Audax rider about setting up a ride that started in Dolgellau so he could do an Audax ride when visiting his sister (to my surprise it was one place that wasn't represented) so I set up the 2J (in the event he wasn't able to ride it). Then, a couple of years ago, in one of those lateral thinking moments I finally worked out how to create the Cambrian equivalent of the Maniac Grimpeur and with extensive searching of Google Maps, backed up by the riding I'd done on the ground on events such as the Bryan Chapman and other Cambrian permanents, the Cambrian 10A, all glorious 1009km and 18km of ascent was born. THis has had two completions.

But it is chapeau to Peter Coulson, who dreamed up the original series, with, I presume, a lot of research on the ground, in the days where everything had to be measured by hand. In my opinion, the 400s in particular are the PhDs of Audaxing - when you think you have done everything that long distance cycling has to offer - pit your wits against 400km of Welsh tarmac, endless hills, and limited time to stop to sleep (even if you can find a spot to sleep).

2H---I`ve had this and 2J cards sitting around a few months now so on Saturday having duly consulted with CET about `proper` route (thanks Colin input here, I`d really got it wrong first time set off early from a start point @ Rhayader with aim being back by 6pm.

Being just 7am teh A44 / 470 were quiet---not motor-biker time yet On smooth tramac and a sunny and still beautiful late spring morning I made rapid progress to Llanidloes encountering very little traffic and a few errant ewes / lambs on the road. Groups of turquoise clad riders were heading south, with plenty of escort vehicles and flashing lights--soem charity event maybe

Having ATMed @ Llani after an easy ride there the ride started in earnest with a hard 10-15% climb on the B road towards Tylwch. At the top a lane headed off left rolling up and down through valleys and woods to Bwlch Y Sarnau. Although familiar with the MTBing around Red Lion / Abbetcwmhir these lanes were unknown to me and very pleasant riding. Early sun had now disappeared and it was quite a `chilly damp` feel in the air and I was glad to have kept layers on.

On through the lovely Castle Vale and the next challenging climb out of Llanbister a good km + of 15-20% straight up onto the open moor---chapeau though to the young mum who was pushing her pushchair up there with a toddler in it On reaching Knighton a braaekfast stop was in order --so a full English @ Clock Tower cafe saw me restored after about 70km riding. I wasn`t particularly looking forwards to the next section---I know and have ridden the Gladestry roller coaster hills too often now.

The narrow lane leading up and out of Knighton was damp and graesy and despite using Open Paves (normally good grip tyres) I found the wheel spinning out on the steep 15% climb. On down then to Whitton, up and over Beggars Bush and a swooping run down to Walton. Here I decided that despite extra km I would avoid the Glasdestry set of hills (perhaps not in full spirit of a Cambrian ride... ) and headed towards Hay via Brilley--still a good climb though.

The Hay festival was a `mud fest ` --the town full of welly shod muddy liererates wandering aimlessly across the road everywhere, oblivious to cars and bikes . No place to stop for long, a bottle of flavoured sparkling water mixed well with zero caffeine electrolyte tablets and some chocolate were my only sustenance.

I`d expected Hay to Brecon to be gentle and easy....initially it was, but turning onto Sustrans 8 after Talgarth onto lovely but very narrow lanes the road reared up at Llanfilo to crest out on a beautiful open lane across open Common land with grazing ponies and wildflowers amass. And great views out and across to the Beacons, Wye valley and mid Wales hills. A little gem of a section

I quite enjoy the ride up to Upper Chapel and MOD Epynt, and today was no exception, the warm sunshine made crossing the Epynt very pleasant---I`ve ridden it though a couple of time in rain and wind and `vile ` then describes it. Stunning views from the escarpment north of Wye valley and the Cambrian mountains (maybe the `best view in Wales?? ) before a 70kph descent down to Llanwrtyd.

Just the final hills now over the Beulah - Newbridge road, the steep ups adequately compensated for by fast downs, trying to keep my speed up for the next `up`. After a slightly tedious detour into L`dod for a control ATM the last 15km passed smoothly to Rhayader and I finished slightly before my self imposed 6pm deadline.....all ready for a good meal and several beers out that evening I can highly recommend `my` beer @ The Triangle (Reverend James )

Next ---2J

Logged

....after the `tarte de pommes`, and fortified by a couple of shots of limoncellos, I flew up the Col de Bavella whilst thunderstorms rolled around the peaks above

Thanks for posting up the info about how the Series began CET. Most interesting indeed. So thanks to Peter and to you for all the work in developing the routes.

Great write up about the 2H James. Sounds like another one for me to pencil in. I love the area around Llanbister. Know what you mean about Hay - there were people aimlessly walking around at 8 am on Sunday too. Bealuh-Newbridge works well.....Newbridge to Bealuh not so much haha.

I am hoping to fit in the 2E and 1D back to back next time the better half is racing up at Bala.

Its a bit of doozy this one isn't it. There have been two previous completions in very good times given the ascents, but knowing one of the riders (a sub 60 hour PBP man) I guess that's not a surprise.

A couple of thoughts on the route - Turn left in Kerry and you will get into the centre of Newtown. That will trim a kilometre or two off the route and get you actually into the control town. The Llanidloes to Knighton section can also been enlivened by crossing Bailey Hill rather than knicking through the valley close to the railway line. That saves a couple of Km and gives you a nice hill to finish. I got held up there for a minute or two by a large peloton of sheep last year.

On the Llandod AUK reunion a group of us did the 1B that does Knighton - Clun, probably the biggest set of undulations in the Cambrian Series. On the Clun to Newtown leg we weren't sure of the left turn to Kerry as it comes onto you quite quick on the descent. We made the turn anyway and saw a passerby, who got accosted by five mock Oirish accents asking "Is this the way to Kerry"